Shelter Medicine Program Key Domains

Based on a model shelter medicine curriculum created by the Association for Shelter Veterinarians the Shelter Medicine Steering Committee has created the following key domains. These topics represent key areas of study and emphasis for veterinarians involved in caring for animals in shelters or other populations.

Medicine

Infectious Disease Pathogenesis and Prevention

Quarantine Procedures

Diagnosis and Treatment

Preventative Care

Vaccinations: General Principles

Principles of Herd and Maternal Immunity

Prophylactic Regimes

Epidemiology

Outbreak Investigation and Response

Population Management

Capacity for Care

Statistics to Assess Impacts of Policy

Reproductive Control and Surgical Expertise

High-volume/High-quality Spay/Neuter Techniques

Prepubertal Sterilization

Feral Cat Sterilization

Understanding of Developments in Immunocontraception and Chemical Contraception

Animal Behavior

General Principles

Treatment Plans

Temperament Testing

Enrichment

Problems with Housing

Euthanasia

Technical Aspects

Grief Counseling

Compassion Fatigue

Ethical, Legal and Policy Aspects

Legal and Policy Issues

Anti-cruelty Laws

National Statutes

Evidence and Forensics

Animal Welfare and Rights

History and Philosophy of Animal Shelters

Understanding of Different Shelter Models

Adoption Programs

Role of Rescues

Resources for Personnel

Shelter Management Software

Public Relations

Welfare in the Shelter Environment

Role of Quality of Life

Welfare Assessments for Shelters and Sanctuaries

Business and Leadership

Understanding Organizational Structure of Non-profits versus For-profit Businesses

Understanding Budgeting

Public Health

Rabies and Other Zoonotic Diseases

Animal-inflicted Injuries

Education and Outreach

Nuisance Wildlife Management

Animal Hoarding

Disaster Planning

Humane Education

Community Education about Pet Ownership, Preventative Health Care, Population Control and Zoonotic Diseases